Ghana’s tourism minister has called for a quick shift to digital tools and artificial intelligence to open new doors for the sector.
At a seminar held on Sunday in Koforidua to mark World Tourism Day 2026, Abla Dzifa Gomashie urged the industry to adopt AI, digital payments, social media, and online booking systems. She said these changes would make Ghana’s tourist spots easier to find, reach, and promote.
The theme of the event was “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” Gomashie pointed to Ghana’s wide range of tourism resources and encouraged communities to turn their local attractions into competitive products. She also stressed the need for investment in digital skills, content creation, customer service, and entrepreneurship, especially among young people and women.
“AI should complement human creativity and productivity while safeguarding Ghana’s cultural identity, data and heritage,” she said.
Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, the Eastern Regional Minister, agreed on the importance of AI and digital tools for tourism growth. She described AI’s ability to personalise visitor experiences and improve management at tourist sites. But she warned that the digital shift must include all local players, such as artisans and traditional leaders.
Technology, Awatey said, should be used ethically to promote cultural heritage and shared prosperity without threatening local identities.
Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto outlined how digital platforms are already changing the tourism business. She mentioned the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS), which replaces slow physical processes with online systems for licensing, levy payments, and public verification.
The GTIS is designed to be inclusive, especially for operators in rural areas. Houadjeto said the authority would increase enforcement against operators who don’t comply, urging them to use digital tools to regularise their businesses. This, she said, would raise service standards, protect consumers, and boost Ghana’s global tourism profile.
Odeefuo Oduro Boateng, Adaleen of the New Juaben Traditional Area, spoke for the Omanhene. He called for tourism to be part of everyday community life. He pointed to the region’s natural and cultural attractions, like the Kwahu Mountains and Boti Falls, and said these could gain more attention through technology and global partnerships. He mentioned the partnership with Sunderland FC as one way to tell Ghana’s tourism story to the world.
Jones Aruna Nelson, Eastern Regional Director of the GTA, said digital transformation and AI are no longer optional but necessary for survival. He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses using virtual tours and online booking stayed afloat. Nelson stressed that natural attractions and festivals alone won’t attract enough visitors without technology to redesign and market them effectively.
The call for rapid digital adoption comes as Ghana looks to keep pace with global tourism trends. Officials focused on making the sector more accessible and competitive while protecting Ghana’s cultural heritage. The discussion in Koforidua showed a push to bring traditional and modern approaches together.
The challenge remains to spread digital benefits across the whole industry, from big operators to rural communities, without losing the essence of Ghana’s culture.
According to Joy Online.
